Kid From Akron, MVP & World Champion

Team LeBron | 7/18/2016

52 Years

52 long years. Countless blown opportunities. Millions of unbroken spirits. One kid from Akron.

That is the story arc of the life of a Cleveland sports fan. For so long, the people of Northeast Ohio had gotten used to having their hearts broken. For a city that had become defined by its professional sports drought, the dream of victory was always just out of reach. But the region and its millions of fans that never lost hope now have reason to celebrate. The drought is over, and it took a kid from Akron to help end it.

It seemed highly unlikely, nearly impossible even, that the Cleveland Cavaliers would come back after falling to a 3-1 series deficit to the defending world champions. With the Golden State Warriors historic regular season record and nearly perfect postseason home court performance serving as the backdrop for an epic game seven, many once again counted the Cavs out. But keeping a promise he made when he returned to Northeast Ohio, LeBron James helped lead his team to one of the most remarkable comebacks in professional sports history.

Named as the unanimous Finals MVP, LeBron was overcome with a lifetime worth of emotions. As he brought the trophy back to Cleveland and was welcomed back home by thousands of people eagerly awaiting his arrival, the magnitude of the feat finally started to set in. More than a trophy, LeBron and the Cavs helped return hope to Northeast Ohio.

He had dreamed of what this moment would be like. He envisioned it in his mind, vowing to make it real. And when he did, the moment was even better than he could have ever imagined.